Event MIA97LA122

Factual narrative

On April 6, 1997, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Kunc KR-1, N7KR, registered to a private individual, crashed during a forced landing following loss of engine power while on approach to the Deland Airport, Deland, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Deland, Florida, the same day, about 1400. The pilot stated that while on approach to the Deland Airport, the engine failed and he could not get it restarted. While attempting to glide to the airport, the aircraft lost altitude and collided with two oak trees. The aircraft then crashed into a pasture. He had filled the fuel tank in the morning and had flown two flights, totaling about 3 flight hours since the refueling. He had purchased the aircraft the day before the accident and believed it had a 8 gallon fuel tank and used about 2 gallons of fuel per hour. He stated there was no fuel leakage from the aircraft after the accident. The person who built the aircraft and sold it to the accident pilot stated the aircraft had a 10 gallon fuel tank of which all of the fuel was usable. He stated the aircraft used between 3.5 and 4 gallons per hour. The aircraft and engine was not examined by FAA or NTSB personnel after the accident. The NTSB did not receive a completed aircraft accident report from the pilot. As the pilot was on an approach to land, the engine lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. During a forced landing, the aircraft collided with trees, then crashed into a pasture. There was no fuel leakage from the aircraft after the accident. The aircraft builder stated that the aircraft held 10 gallons of usable fuel and consumed 3.5 to 4 gallons per hour. The aircraft had flown about 3 flight hours since the last refueling. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12